Teddy LaRue Brinkley

5/3/1935 – 3/28/2026

Teddy L. Brinkley, a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully on Saturday March 28, 2026, in Bakersfield, California. He was 90 years old. Teddy spent his last days surrounded by his loving family.

Teddy was born in Rector, Arkansas. He and his family came to California during the dust bowl and settled in Fresno where he attended Roosevelt High School. Teddy did not graduate high school but instead joined the Navy Reserve in 1955 and shipped out to England. On the way there the men were told by the officers’ half of them would return to the states married with kids… of course they all laughed each believing it would not happen to them! Well, my dad met my mom and had both myself and my brother while stationed in England.

My dad left the Navy and enlisted into the Air Force in 1956 and was stationed at RAF Brize Norton Air Force Base in Carterton, England. He and my mom were married in 1956 and by 1960 were headed back to the US with two young children in tow. In August they would have celebrated 70 years of marriage.

Throughout his military career of 20 years, he was stationed in England, South Dakota, Thailand, Germany, and California. He was an airbase firefighter and was responsible for building rapid response protocols to tarmac and airbase emergencies.

After Teddy retired from the Military in 1974, he got his GED and became a small business owner. He opened a TV repair shop. His hobbies were playing fast pitch softball, going camping, hunting, shooting guns, re-loading his own ammo, deep-sea fishing and spending time with family. He loved having barbecues at the house after a ball game. Most of the time these were not planned, everyone just showed up and had a good time. Dad always enjoyed a “good drink”!

In later years my dad and mom moved to Kern County to follow the family. They spent the rest of their lives in Taft, Gods Country, as my dad would call it. Here my dad would tend his 1 acre and his horses in the stable and corral he built on his property, adjacent to the shop he also built himself. Teddy was in every sense of the phrase, a “self-made man.” He was in his glory there, a simple man living a simple life. Both my dad and mom loved their life and knew this was where they would spend the rest of it. At his end Teddy opened his heart to God and I believe excepted Jesus into his heart.

Surviving Teddy is his daughter, Diane Picanso (Doug). His son Rinnie Brinkley. Six grandchildren; Matthew Picanso (Sasha), Brett Picanso, Derek Brinkley (Theresa), Veronica Shelton, Mikayla Garner (Wyatt) and Nathan Brinkley. Four great-grandchildren; Kake Shelton, Deakin Brinkley, Alexandra Picanso and Charles Picanso. His sister-in-law Viv Adams.

Viewing will be held at Doughty-Calhoun-O’Meara Funeral Home, 1100 Truxton Ave on Wednesday April 15, 2026, from 4:00pm -7:00 pm.

Committal Service will be held at Bakersfield National Cemetery, 30338 E. Bear Mountain Blvd, Arvin on April 16,2026 at 10:45 am. Interment will be immediately following.

Remembrance Celebration immediately following funeral at the Picanso home, 4112 Chardonnay Dr.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Wounded Warriors or Tunnels to Towers.

Daddy, you will be missed and Forever in our hearts. We were honored to be at your side as you transitioned to your home in heaven and joined with Mom. We know you are now at peace and smiling down at us!